-
PatitucciPhoto Sites
Categories
Recent Comments
- paul on LowePro Photo Sport 200 for Mountain Sport Photographer Athletes
- Tom on Training with Ueli Steck
- paul on Celebrating 25 Years in the Outdoor Industry
- PatitucciPhoto on Celebrating 25 Years in the Outdoor Industry
- Kathy Laskey on Celebrating 25 Years in the Outdoor Industry
- PatitucciPhoto on Celebrating 25 Years in the Outdoor Industry
- William Snyder on Celebrating 25 Years in the Outdoor Industry
- Chris Hunter on LowePro Photo Sport 200 for Mountain Sport Photographer Athletes
Category Archives: Climbing
Celebrating 25 Years in the Outdoor Industry
Patagonia 2009 Calendar Cover
Saying “Yes” to try climbing changed my life. I grew up racing sailboats, but the first day I climbed rocks I was an all new 18 year old. Turns out I had an inner dirtbag that was set free when I discovered the yacht club & topsider free world of the crags. My calling had been answered. Shortly thereafter I had myself a job in the bike department at an REI. I didn’t really know squat about climbing, but I did know bikes, so with an eye on the wall of cams and carabiners, I started my career in the outdoor industry. That was 1987.
Now, 25 years later, many of the same people I knew then, like myself, are still in the industry. A kind of family. By 1991 I was a full fledged dirtbag climber. I lived in my truck, sold espresso while on the road to make some money, dined in the bin aisles of grocery stores and actually wore white lycra (It’s back in, but not for climbing). Suddenly, I even had companies willing to “sponsor” my choice of lifestyle. My duties to them; climb, be a nice guy, make some photos and do some slideshows. One thing led to another and I got really into the making photos part.
The early days, 1998, of Beth Rodden. It later became an ad on the back cover of Climbing Magazine.
In 1997 I was managing my best friend’s Climbing Gym, the Rocknasium, in Davis, California. One day a tiny little girl walked in and tried climbing for the first time. Her parents supported her, she was happy, and, she was very, very good. Her name was Beth Rodden and she would go on to become one of the best climbers on the planet. We became close friends, and it was with Beth that I started to learn how to be a photographer by documenting her career as it took off.
1998 was a turning point, I wasn’t getting any younger and I certainly wasn’t getting rich as a bike racer or climber. I was falling in love with making photos and so decided to go back to school and study photography. I went from being a fulltime athlete, climber and road racer, to living in Santa Barbara, California and going to class. Notice I didn’t say anything about any other classes up until this point… this kind of references that inner dirtbag thing.
At the Brooks Institute of Photography I met Janine. Soon, she too was sucked into the vortex of the Outdoor Industry. She also found herself living in a vehicle. A nice girl from Switzerland, with endless talent who also happened to be an architect, was suddenly getting intimate with my version of American life.
But that American Life turned into this American Dream come true.
Our vision was simple, to live and work precisely in line with what we love; to be outside, in the mountains, as athletes, travelers, and photographers of it all. We wanted to work with companies who made gear we really used and to shoot magazine stories that we’d like to read. This we continue to do, but we have also been owners of a stock agency, consultants, multi-media producers, spokespeople, and product testers & developers. Finally, we started our own online Mountain Sport Athlete website, DolomiteSport, a spinoff of our energy and love for this lifestyle.
25 years later, we both know something about the outdoor industry. It has supported our photo business for 12 years, given us endless opportunities, inspired us, challenged us and it has been the source of countless friends.
The photography that is found in our Portfolio reveals who we are as creative people. But the examples of work found on our Clips page reveals even more. It is the result of how we have combined everything we love; making photos, supporting & working with brands and still being true to our vision which is living and working in line with our passion.
PatitucciPhoto's Published Work Samples : Click to View
________________________________________________________
Interested in following what we do, as we do it, via your favorite Social Media:
Dolomites Via Ferrata Petzl Photoshoot
The Via Ferrata Tomaselli
With the year’s best weather currently playing out, it was perfect timing when Petzl called needing us to shoot a Via Ferrata for their next catalog. The need; a classic Ferrata, great light, fun people and of course a dramatic landscape. I asked our good friend and Mountain Guide Alberto De Giuli what would the most photogenic Ferrata in the Dolomites be – he was quick to recommend the Via Ferrata Tomaselli, not only is it’s position very dramatic, but it is arguably the hardest in the Dolomites. Perfect, sold!
Our plan was to climb the route late, timing our arrival to the top for sunset light on the last section below the summit. Alberto suggested we take a rope so I could rappel from the top and shoot from the side. Once finished, we’d down climb the route and shoot the absolute last light on a lower section.
Our good friends Christof and Evi (of our Sicily trip photos) joined us for the fun. First stop on the way to the Ferrata was an obligatory visit to the hut with the best views in all the Dolomites, the Rifugio Lagazuoi, where owner Guido Pompanin treated us to a breakfast of fresh apple strudel and cappuccinos that we could enjoy out on his deck. Ah… bell’Italia.
Once caffeinated, it was off to work. In the end, our plan came together perfectly. A happy client, happy photographers and a great day for everyone.
What is a Via Ferrata?
These “Iron Ways” started as paths cut into the sides of some of the rock faces in the Dolomites during World War I. Soldiers were able to get around on vertical walls thanks to cables in place for security. These days, the same style is used with modern gear to allow more adventurous hikers to access rock walls and ridges that previously only climbers could do. It is tremendously popular throughout the European Alps and Dolomites, with literally hundreds of Via Ferrate spread throughout the ranges. Petzl makes a wide range of systems that allow Ferrata climbers to easily take advantage of the in place cables and ladders found on these routes. More at the Wikipedia Via Ferrata Page.
Considering a Ferrata? If you are visiting the Dolomites, famous for some of the most beautiful Ferrate in Europe, and you want to try something new and quite unique – put a Ferrata at the top of your list. But if it is your first, and you have limited or no climbing experience, guides are available to take you up and get you down.
Contact UIAGM Mountain Guide Alberto De Giuli
__________________________________________________________
Interested in following what we do, as we do it, via your favorite Social Media:
Also posted in Dolomites, Photography
Tagged Adventure Sports, Dolomites, Italy, Photoshoots
3 Comments
John Harlin Walking the Swiss Border
Earlier this summer we posted our story & photos about John Harlin’s Swiss Border project. It was a project we were very lucky to be a part of as we would have the pleasure of meeting John, spending some days with him as he walked the entire Swiss Border, and getting to visually document part of the process. After three very long & difficult days with John, I was left thinking that in order to complete this epic journey he would need a very strong will, endless endurance and bomber knees. Apparently, he has all these things as yesterday, September 12, at exactly noon, he summited Mont Dolent – this, after 104 days of being on the move . By doing so, he completed a very large circle that offered him countless geographic and weather challenges, but also an endless stream of memorable trailside human encounters and support via social media.
John Harlin arriving to the summit of Mont Dolent
We joined him as he first set out this summer, then again yesterday for his finish atop Mont Dolent, which serves as the border between France, Italy and Switzerland. Also in our group were supporters & partners from Swiss Tourism, some close friends, and his host SwissInfo.ch.
The day started off with the sound of heavy rain bombarding our bivouac on the Italian side of Mont Dolent. 5 am, rain, 6am, rain, 7 am, drizzle. With drizzle being a major improvement, and John determined to close the project, we all set out. 30 minutes later as we gained the glacier the first rays of sun were streaming through the clouds. Shortly after this we had bluebird conditions and a freshly frosted mountain all to ourselves.
A huge congratulations to John for completing his journey and lifelong dream. There are some great stories from along the way at SwissInfo Border Stories. Also, a follow up summary is soon to follow and can be watched for at the SwissBorder Facebook Page. His own write up of the final day is appropriately titled, Party Time.
A few images from a great day with a superb group of people.
Inside the Bivouaco Fiorio. Too bad we had to carry all the schnapps & wine up, there just wasn't enough.
John Harlin leaving the bivouac in wet and unpleasant weather for his final day on the Swiss Border
The crew negotiating a heavily crevassed glacier below Mont Dolent
The skies cleared to a perfect last day. Here, John is on the upper glacier before the final rock ridge.
John Harlin and Friends on the summit of Mont Dolent. Congratulations John.
Even the Ibex were out in support. This big guy was on the doorstep of the bivouac when we returned.
Everyone down and happy to the bivouac with Mont Dolent behind.
Interested in following what we do, as we do it, via your favorite Social Media:
Also posted in Photography, Profiles
Tagged Documentary, Europe, hiking, Photography, Photoshoots, Switzerland
2 Comments
A Busy Week in the Life of PatitucciPhoto
We live a busy schedule of combining work with play - for us, they are one and the same, we call it life. Living and working in the mountains is simply what we do. But the last week was particularly dense with activity and has finally ended on a drizzly day in Switzerland where I can finally sit and get all caught up – for not only were we on the move, we had no phone service for much of the last 6 days.
It started with friends visiting the Dolomites, lots of road biking and a 21 pitch climb on the South Face of the Tofana, one of the Dolomites largest walls. Then it was straight to the Graubunden Region of Switzerland where we spent some days climbing in the Sciora group. From there I rode my bike back to St. Moritz before climbing another amazing wall above Disentis, Switzerland, the Piz Cavardiras. Once down from shooting photos, and the climbing itself, I jumped back on the bike and rode over several major Swiss passes before bumping into the Bernese Oberland and calling it good. As in exhausted. Maybe I have been drinking too much coffee. A huge thanks to two friends who joined and helped us in the fun; Thomas Engl and Tim Connelly.
This then is our visual diary.
Tim Connelly on the South Face of the Dolomite's Tofana - 21 pitches that he accurately described as being more of an odyssey than a climb. Agreed.
Thomas Engl on the Sciora Group's Innominata; Via di Mezzo 6a
From dumping rain, it snowed, then in ten minutes it was sunny and warm for cragging.
Shame shame shame, but well done Thommy
Thommy Engl cragging above the Sciora Hut
Thommy & Janine in the Sciora Hut, course number 1 is soup
Thommy Engl on the upper pitches of the 22 pitch Piz Pioda, 6a, in the Sciora Group
Thommy Engl on the upper pitches of the 22 pitch Piz Pioda in the Sciora Group
The Sciora Hut sits directly beneath some impressive granite walls and spires
The walk out from Sciora after an all day journey that started, and would end, with headlamps
Above Disentis, Switzerland is the Piz Cavardiras and an amazing 6b+ direct line up one of the best routes I have done anywhere in alpine terrain
What started in blue skies on the Piz Cavardiras turned cold and dank
I opted to pedal to the next venue over the Oberalp and then Furka Passes, pictured here in heavy traffic
PatitucciPhoto and the rolling office/home
Follow what we do as we do it at Twitter:
@patitucciphoto : Our photo business feed
@dolomitesport : the Inspired Mountain Living feed
Also posted in Photography
Tagged alpine climbing, Climbing, Europe, Mountain Sports, Photography
3 Comments
Climbing Magazine Photography
Like so many of the sports we photograph, we are passionate about the subject matter. We not only make images of these sports, but also enthusiastically take part, allowing for great memories of the images produced. So to see our work published is to see great experiences and friends get some attention – perhaps no more so than in our climbing images.
Our latest cover of Climbing Magazine is of one of our closest friends, Steve Elia, from a trip we did together in Chamonix. And the Gallery Image of Christof Ursch comes from just this past spring and a sport climbing trip to San Vito lo Capo, Sicily.
Kalymnos Greece Climbing
As we are back to climbing this year, there is one phrase that keeps coming up over and over again, “You must climb in Kalymnos, Greece”. With the need for a holiday break from, well, mountain sports, we thought we’d go on climbing holiday. All we ever do is mountain sports, but always with the camera and the necessary focus that goes along with shooting for work. This trip was for us, climb everyday, make some friends, enjoy ourselves. But one day, in the famed Grande Grotta I had to pull out the camera, and for obvious reasons.
So was Kalymnos worth all the hype? YES! …and come November you will know where to find us for our end of season getaway.
Ueli Steck Mountain Hardwear Website
Ueli Steck’s Himalayan Speed Project
Since our February 2011 photoshoot with Ueli Steck, much has happened surrounding this amazing athlete and alpinist. To have been a part of it, to meet and spend some days living with Ueli, is one of the great things about being a photographer. Sometimes it is our job to show off a product, other times it’s to tell a story or to simply inspire a viewer. Amongst all of this is the potential to create images that one day might have historical significance.
Tommy Caldwell on the Muir Wall
In 2001, I hung from the top of Yosemite’s El Capitan’s Muir Wall and photographed Tommy Caldwell as he free climbed one of the hardest long routes in the world. At the time it was visionary, and part of a period of intense free climbing efforts on one of the most prized walls on the planet. That same week in Yosemite, I attended a slideshow by Tom Frost, who was in his day another visionary climber. As I sat watching the show and listening to his stories, I realized my own great fortune in getting to take part in this process of progressing the sport and ideas around the sport & culture of climbing.
Ten years later, here we are with Ueli Steck. In the days we spent with him (Training with Ueli Steck) he spoke of his plans to climb 8000 meter peaks. Listening to Ueli speak of “speed climbing” was not about records or achievements but about progressing himself as an athlete and climber by moving near his limit freely in the big mountains. He was a man preparing himself at every level to go off and challenge himself. Perhaps this is what has so inspired and captivated us by Ueli, he is on a kind of mythical Hero’s Journey.
To see our images of Ueli being put to use on the Mountain Hardwear website is extremely rewarding. No less are the news reports of what he is now doing in the Himalaya and knowing we had some moments to see him preparing for what is truly an inspiring story with huge historical significance to the sport of climbing.
Ueli Steck’s updates and news can be followed via his Facebook Page, Twitter, or Mountain Hardwear’s Himalaya Speed site.
Also posted in Clips
Tagged Adventure Sports, alpine climbing, Climbing, Photography
Leave a comment
Photographing Climbing in Norway and Sicily
Climbing Photoshoots
Within 12 days of one another, we had two very different climbing photoshoots. The first was ice climbing with Kurt Astner, one of the world’s best ice climbers. This assignment had us go to Norway’s Lyngen Alps to shoot for W.L. Gore and their new Gore-Tex material, ProShell.
On a fixed rope, I hang next to Kurt and follow him as he climbs
After Norway we headed home, jumped in the car, and drove to Chamonix for a three day women’s catalog shoot for Wild Roses (Blog coming). From Chamonix we met up with good friends Christof and Evi from our hometown of Bruneck and boarded a flight for Sicily and our climbing destination, San Vito lo Capo. Both Christof and Evi are superb climbers. Best of all, inspired by the photoshoot, both were well prepared and fit to pull hard.
Photographing Ice Climbing
Shooting climbing is hard on both camera gear and the body. Shooting ice climbing compounds all of this in tortuous ways. Not only are all the usual climbing logistics present, but there are lots of sharp things around and everyone wants to keep moving because it is cold, painfully so. To fend off the cold requires bulky clothing, and this contributed to a small disaster. In an aggravated effort to keep moving, I was throwing lenses loose into my pack, ignoring the lens tubes that were supposed to be their home. The price… a broken Image Stabilizer in a 70-200 and a broken housing on a 17-40. Thankfully the loss of lenses came at the end of the shoot and not the beginning.
Ready to go with the chest mounted camera bag, key for working on a rope.
LowePro Camera Bags, with whom we recently began working closely with, is going to be receiving more of our attention as I commit to being more careful with gear. For me, dedicated camera bags have proven essential to the safety of camera equipment I must rely on.
At the end of the day everyone was happy. Janine and I felt good about a job well done. Kurt had made a first ascent of what he has called “White Chocolate”, WI6, Grade IV. And Gore happily reported that we nailed the look of harsh conditions they were after to market their new product. Success.
Last summer, after photographing Kurt Astner climbing on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Italian Dolomites, we posted what became a very popular blog story. During the shoot, I wore a helmet video camera to capture what I see while shooting in these dramatic locations, I thought to do the same for this ice climbing shoot. It seems the perfect opportunity to see what it looks like to be the photographer, to get my perspective of what I am making photos of, and to watch Kurt climb. Beneath the video are a couple of stills that show the end product of what we were after.
Arriving to the ice fall Kurt had found after a two hour ski approach. 200 meters of what may be unclimbed, steep ice.
Kurt Astner on his new route White Chocolate, WI6, Grade IV
Photographing Rock Climbing
A little friendlier terrain than the ice
Less than two weeks later we were in a different world. Sicily’s seaside village of San Vito lo Capo has recently become a hotspot for sport climbing. With absolutely perfect limestone walls lining the Mediterranean coast, an ideal spring climate and superb food – San Vito lo Capo made sense for our next shoot, and an escape from a poor winter in the Alps.
Shooting rock climbing, especially sport climbing, is quite easy compared to what we faced in Norway. In Sicily the routes were never more than 35 meters long, were always safely bolted and had flip flop approaches. I could quickly get a fixed rope in place or even shoot from high boulders next to climbs.
The trick here was having the right people, people who could get on hard routes and climb them in style. Climbing images require a sense of power while at the same time looking to be in control. Christof and Evi are ideal.
The very photo being made from the above right image
Christof at the Castle of Aragon, 7b
Evi on the Cinema Paradiso Wall, 6b
Christof making things look dicey, because they are
Steep?
Camera Gear for Climbing Photoshoots
In my opinion, for all things in the photography world, less is more.
For climbing, in almost all situations, I take the following:
Canon 1d Mark IV – Quality, speed and focusing points
8GB film cards – I like 8GB because I don’t have to change them so often and run the risk of dropping one. And, they aren’t so big to potentially have every image if they do get dropped.
Canon 16-35 f2.8
Canon 15mm 2.8 – For getting the wider angle with the 1d Mark IV’s conversion
Canon 70-200 f4.0 – Optional depending on how close I know I will be to the climber
Once I am on the rope I have a small top opening pack hanging below me that serves as a bucket catch all for lens tubes (be sure to actually use lens tubes…) and anything else I may need. The chest mounted camera bag allows me to quickly stow the camera to move up and down on the rope. The less is more policy is key for staying focused on the shot and the movement of the climber, not fussing around changing lenses or fiddling with various things, also the simple need of staying mobile and light.
Interested in following what we do as we do it? Follow us on Twitter @patitucciphoto
The Sicilian Office
Connect with us
